Feline Upper Respiratory Disease

Feline upper respiratory diseases are more than just colds for cats. Once a cat contracts an upper respiratory complex, it will probably be a chronic carrier. This means that although symptoms of the disease are gone, your pet will still carry the complex and be able to spread it to other felines.

The "upper respiratory" area includes the mouth, nose, nasal passages, sinuses, and upper airway. Although there are numerous viruses that can cause upper respiratory issues, the two primary culprits are rhinotracheitis and calicivirus. Your vet may also call rhinotracheitis by its other name, herpes-1, but this virus does not act in the same way as our human version of herpes.

Symptoms of rhinotracheitis are slightly like our human cold symptoms. Cats infected with this virus sneeze and have nasal discharge. Additionally, a cat with this might drool, have a fever, develop conjunctivitis, and have eye discharge. Rhinotracheitis in pregnant mother cats may cause her to abort her kittens.

Although it is a feline upper respiratory disease just like rhinotracheitis, calicivirus exhibits a number of different symptoms in its victims. A kitty with calicivirus will have nasal and eye discharge like the previous virus, but sneezing is uncommon. Calicivirus can cause oral ulcers and even turn into pneumonia in your pet. Like our human flu, calicivirus can make cats' joints and muscles ache, possibly turning into sores on the paws. Additionally, calicivirus does not usually cause a cat to run a fever.

With the feline upper respiratory disease complex, there are several things you can do to help your pet. First, control eye and nose discharge by wiping away the moisture and providing a humid environment. Occasionally, a vet may prescribe a nasal decongestant to help rid your kitty of its drainage. Second, keep your cat warm, quiet, and well-fed. Kitties may refuse food, but it is necessary to provide them with fuel to fight off the infection. This may lead to force-feeding.

One of my cats had a Uri from the humane society, and it was pretty serious, and now she has sinusitis chronically.
Uri is a generic term to cover any upper respiratory infection. There are many possible bacteria and viruses responsible. Unfortunately, from shelters they usually tend to be much stronger.
Some cats do become carriers of certain diseases, but this is not always the outcome. The stories about loss of sight have to do with specific viruses, that are rarer. Most likely she will recover fine, and not be a carrier. It seems like you don't need to worry about this as this is your only cat. She may require extra antibiotics, and I would recommend a vet visit approx. 4 weeks after you take her home. For now just think she has a really bad cold and recover soon. Worry about everything else if you have to cross that bridge. It's great that you already love your cat so much.